Ansel harbored no aspirations to forge a new world; he would not allow the future that fate anticipated to manifest. Yet, this knowledge empowered him to better govern the entire empire in the near future, to more effectively... confront fate.
Ravenna toiled in the subterranean library of Hydral for three years, relentlessly absorbing, digesting, and appropriating every comprehensible matter according to her nature, almost forsaking sleep. She undoubtedly hoped that this vast accumulation over three years would sweep away the decline and transform the empire, but ultimately... she still became a tool in Ansel's hands to oppose fate.
Ironically, had she compromised with Ansel even slightly, she might have had a real chance to turn this knowledge into reality, rather than becoming nourishment for another "self" as she is now.
Truly... ironic.
With these thoughts, Ansel felt someone grasp his hand.
"Father," Helen's voice echoed in his ear, "trust me."
